Theater_Five_64-08-03_ep001_Hit_and_Run

Summary

Podcast Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Theater_Five_64-08-03_ep001_Hit_and_Run
Original Air Date: August 3, 1964
Summary by: [Your Name or Service]
Release Date of Podcast: February 21, 2026

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Main Theme or Purpose

This episode of "Theater Five," titled "Hit and Run," is a suspenseful crime drama from the golden age of radio. It explores themes of power, corruption, coercion, and guilt as a brash young gangster recklessly causes a fatal hit-and-run and desperately attempts to cover it up, enlisting a frightened young woman and a reluctant lawyer in his scheme. The story unravels with high tension and a dramatic twist that exposes the destructive nature of criminal impunity.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Underworld Connections

• [00:52-04:00]
  • We are introduced to Jim Glazer, a mob boss, and his younger, troublemaking brother, Allie Glazer.
  • Jim instructs his lawyer, Walter Wayland, to keep an eye on Allie while he tends to "business" out of town.
  • Allie is impulsive and disrespectful, relying on his brother’s name for protection.
  • Notable dynamic: Walter is intimidated by Allie, who resents Walter's moral pretensions.

"Remember this. Allie's still my kid brother, see? And while I'm away, you take care of him. Anything he wants, anything he needs. Understand? Even if he kills somebody." — Jim (00:52)

2. Allie’s Predatory Behavior & Coercion

• [04:00-10:43]
  • Allie targets Ann De Villo, a naïve young woman at a bar, and manipulates her into his company.
  • He uses his power to impress her, offering to help her father’s struggling plastering business in exchange for her attention.
  • Bartender Mike hesitates to intervene, signifying Allie’s grip on the environment.

"What I mean is that I am a magician. And if there's anything you need, or maybe your family needs, why, just say the word and I'll wave my magic wand." — Allie (08:38)

3. The Hit-and-Run

• [10:43-13:41]
  • Allie speeds dangerously with Ann in the car; in a moment of recklessness, he strikes a pedestrian.
  • Ann, horrified, pleads with Allie to stop and help, but he refuses, exposing his callousness.
  • He decides to hide and devises a plan to intimidate Ann into lying for him.

"Not a chance, kid. He went through the air like a dummy." — Allie (12:36)

4. Coercion and Moral Dilemma

• [13:41-18:24]
  • Allie holds Ann against her will, threatening her and her father’s business if Ann does not testify in his favor.
  • He tells her she’ll need to follow whatever story the lawyer Walter devises to clear him.

"You stay with me. You're a witness, baby." — Allie (13:16)
"Every construction contract in this town goes through my brother. Now you see what you're up against?" — Allie (17:17)

5. The Twist: Justice and Irony

• [18:24-22:10]
  • Allie brings Ann to Walter’s office to arrange the lie.
  • Walter surprises both by encouraging Ann to tell the truth instead of perpetrating a cover-up, defying Allie’s threats.
  • Walter reveals a devastating twist: Jim Glazer, Allie’s powerful brother, was in fact the victim of the hit-and-run.
  • Allie’s shield has vanished, and poetic justice is served.

"Jim got back at 4 o'clock this morning and he was killed by a hit and run driver at the corner of 4th and Fulton." — Walter (21:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The threat of power:
  "You got a straight wall on it now. You take care of the kids, even if he kills somebody." — Jim (00:52)
• Allie’s casual criminality:
  "If it weren't for Jim... You got me off each time you said, yes, sir, and you saluted and you got me off. Shyster." — Allie (04:00)
• Ann’s moral struggle:
  "For myself, it's one thing, but for my pop..." — Ann (17:37)
• Walter’s ethical stand:
  "Well, I'm not going to be a party to it, whatever it is, Allie. And my advice to Ms. De Villo is not to swear falsely to any—" — Walter (20:19)
• Poetic Justice:
  "Jim got back at 4 o'clock this morning and he was killed by a hit and run driver at the corner of 4th and Fulton." — Walter (21:18)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:52-04:00 | Jim leaves Walter in charge of Allie, foreshadowing trouble. | | 07:08-09:10 | Allie meets and manipulates Ann at the bar. | | 10:43-13:41 | The fatal hit-and-run occurs; Ann becomes a witness and hostage. | | 14:23-17:45 | Allie threatens Ann, forcing her to choose between justice and her family’s livelihood. | | 20:19-21:18 | Walter confronts Allie, reveals the true victim, and Ann is freed from coercion. |

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Tone & Style

The tone is tense, moody, and noir, suffused with the classic sound effects, sharp dialogue, and moral ambiguity of mid-century radio drama. Allie is cocky and menacing; Ann is innocent yet forced into maturity by trauma; Walter is a reluctant fixer who ultimately redeems himself by standing for the truth.

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For Those Who Haven’t Listened

This episode delivers a tight, suspenseful crime drama, combining strong character work with a twist ending. It explores the abuse of power, personal integrity versus family loyalty, and the ultimate escape of justice from the control of even the most powerful criminals. The ending is especially memorable as the criminal is undone not by the law, but by tragic fate.

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(End of summary)

Transcript

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[Allie Glazer]

Look, baby, this is where we stay till tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning? See?

[Ann De Villo]

What are you going to do with me?

[Allie Glazer]

The other five present. Hit and run. Everything clear? Wallet? It's clear enough, Jim, but I don't like it much. I don't either. Look, you're my lawyer and I want you to keep your nose clean as much as you want it. But you gotta take charge while I'm out of town. How serious is this trouble? Eh, nothing really. In Gloverstown. Some of the numbers guys are dipping in the till and the punk operating the gambling joints is out of line. I'm just going over there and I'm gonna get a couple of boys to rough up a couple of those. I don't want to know what you're going to do. Of course not, counselor. I'll spare you the details. You just keep your eyes on things till I get back. Oh, while I'm gone, there's one little thing. Walter. Okay, Allie, come on in. Hi. Did you tell him, Jim? Now wait, Jim. I thought we agreed I wouldn't have to see Ally again. Who do you think you are, you shyster mouth people. Shut up, Allie. One more word out of him and I'll slap him around like I did before. I said shut up. Now, it's for you, Waller. Remember this. Allie's still my kid brother, see? And while I'm away, you take care of him. Anything he wants, anything he needs. Understand? I just hope you try to cross me up, Walter. I'd like a reason to slug you. I said shut up, Allie. You got a straight wall on it now. You take care of the kids, even if he kills somebody. All right? Show him in. I'm in already. You'll sit down. What's on your mind, Ellie? There's a cop named Ed Brannigan. I want you to get him transferred to the suburbs or something. Just like that, huh? Just like that. Why? To teach him a lesson, that's why. Just do it. That's all, Walter. Look, Allie, your brother Jim's organization has a very Nice, shall we say, working relationship with the police. They're sensitive about it, so we don't push them around any more than we have to. We leave them as much dignity as we can. Walter, I told you what to do when you do it. This cop, this Brannigan, brought me in on a drunken disorderly last night. He arrested you? You didn't call me. You didn't have to. The death sergeant knew who I was and he fell all over himself apologizing. He didn't seem to be worrying about dignity. And don't you either, Walter. Slap it to that cop. You. You don't dare say what you want to do. You. Walter. Allie, Jim will be back in a few days. Why not wait till then? If he says. All right. I want that cop transferred and I want it done now. Look here, Allie, I'm a lawyer nut. You're a mouthpiece, a shyster, a crooked shyster. Cut that out. Make me. Are you enjoying this? Making you sweat. If it weren't for Jim. Sure, I know. If it weren't for Jim. You've got to sit there and hate my guts. But remind yourself every minute that I'm Jim's kid brother and be respectful to me. What I remember is you stealing a car when you were barely in your teens. That's what you remember? That and a lot more of the same. Well, what I remember, Walter, is you got me off each time you said, yes, sir, and you saluted and you got me off. Shyster. You little punk. That's what I was waiting to hear. That's all. Now get that cop transferred. You hear me? All right. All right, Alec, that's enough. Oh, and by the way, slip me a couple of hundred. I feel a big night coming on. Or can't you spare it? 200? Sure, sure, Alec boy, I bet you'd love to see me hurt, but you never will. Because whatever happens, I'll always have you to get me out of any jam. Isn't that right, counselor? Sure, Allie. How about a Scotch, Mike? Oh, hi, Allie. I didn't see you come in. I've been over by the door about five minutes. Oh, no. Hold that scotch a minute, Mike. Huh? I've been over by the door and I've been studying. What do you think I was studying, Mike? Well, I couldn't say I was studying Little Miss Innocence there. Oh, that young girl. That's right. Pretty young stuff. Oh, yeah. I told her I couldn't serve her Ally, but she wants to stay, so I give her a lemonade. Little lady must Want to be picked up? Yes. Some guys have tried, but I told them to leave her alone. She appreciate that? No. She didn't really want lemonade, did she? She wants to feel big, Allie. She wants to feel important. I've been what you call protecting her. You've been what you call saving her for me, Mike. Allie. You know, she's pretty young. What did you say, Mike? Nothing. Just remember who owns this bar. I didn't mean nothing, Ally. Sure you didn't. I'll take that scotch now, Mike. I'll take it over there beside the little lady. Oh, sure, Ally. And I think the little lady. Well, after eliminate a daiquiri, nice and strong. Sure, Allie. Hello there, cutie pie.

[Ann De Villo]

Hello.

[Allie Glazer]

I got a surprise for you.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh.

[Allie Glazer]

I am a magician.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, can you say anything but.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh, I don't know.

[Allie Glazer]

All right, we'll find out. You see Mike, the bartender over there?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes.

[Allie Glazer]

Now, what would you think he's going to do?

[Ann De Villo]

Oh, I don't know. Yes, I do. I can tell you. He's going to come over here and tell you to get away from me.

[Allie Glazer]

Okay. That's what you say he'll do.

[Ann De Villo]

Mm.

[Allie Glazer]

That's because that's what he's been doing all night, right?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, what I say he'll do. I say he'll come over here and put down a scotch for me and for you, he'll put down a daiquiri and I'll say, that's all, Mike. The little lady and I want to be alone. And he'll say, sure. And he'll go down the other end of the bar.

[Ann De Villo]

I don't believe it.

[Allie Glazer]

Here, Ally, Scotch and a daiquiri for the lady. Thanks, Mike. Now, cutie pie and I want to be alone. Oh, sure, Ally. Just call when you need something. Allie.

[Ann De Villo]

Well, how did you do it?

[Allie Glazer]

I'm a magician.

[Ann De Villo]

No, I mean really. How?

[Allie Glazer]

Don't ask questions. I just figure if the little lady wants to see life, the little lady ought to be allowed to see life without some bartender lousing her up.

[Ann De Villo]

Well, thanks.

[Allie Glazer]

You got a name?

[Ann De Villo]

I'm Ann Devillo.

[Allie Glazer]

Anything you need fixed?

[Ann De Villo]

I don't know what you mean. Oh. Oh, the drink tastes strong.

[Allie Glazer]

It's good for you. What I mean is that I am a magician. And if there's anything you need, or maybe your family needs, why, just say the word and I'll wave my magic wand.

[Ann De Villo]

Well? Well, if you could fix it up for my pop to earn a bigger profit.

[Allie Glazer]

What does your pop do?

[Ann De Villo]

Well, he's got a little business it's construction work. He takes subcontracts if you know what that means. I know from big contractors with buildings to put up or like that. And he does the plastering part.

[Allie Glazer]

And what's the name of his outfit?

[Ann De Villo]

Devillo and Son. The sun part's my brother.

[Allie Glazer]

De Villo and son. Need of subcontracts on construction for plastering work. It's as good as fixed.

[Ann De Villo]

You sound as if you meant it.

[Allie Glazer]

You'll see. Now how's about some plastering work right this minute? Mike. Yeah G, two more.

[Ann De Villo]

You're going too fast Ally.

[Allie Glazer]

You go this fast.

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[Allie Glazer]

Wait til we get near the airport, around this next curve. Then I'll show you some speed.

[Ann De Villo]

I'm scared. Slow down please.

[Allie Glazer]

The little lady says slow down. We'll slow down. Okay. You're a cute little trick, you know that? Where you been all this time?

[Ann De Villo]

Home.

[Allie Glazer]

Mama wouldn't let you out?

[Ann De Villo]

Oh, it's my father who wouldn't let me out. He's old fashioned my pop.

[Allie Glazer]

Ah, he'll get over it. What'd you do tonight? Sneak out?

[Ann De Villo]

Well, we had. We had a fight. He said he wouldn't let me go to the dance Saturday so I. Oh yeah.

[Allie Glazer]

Came out and found me. Well baby, it's a good thing except it's getting late. Ah, so what?

[Ann De Villo]

Well, I'm afraid of what he'll say when I get home.

[Allie Glazer]

You just tell him he's gonna have all the subcontracts he can handle. That'll shut him.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh, you don't know my pop.

[Allie Glazer]

Watch. He'll be begging you to go out with me and stay all night so we can keep getting work.

[Ann De Villo]

You make it sound as if.

[Allie Glazer]

As if what, kitty pie?

[Ann De Villo]

As if I was selling myself.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, don't you worry your head about it.

[Ann De Villo]

You're going too fast again.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, we gotta get there.

[Ann De Villo]

Where?

[Allie Glazer]

The place I've got.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh, please, slow down.

[Allie Glazer]

I slow down once, it's enough.

[Ann De Villo]

Please.

[Allie Glazer]

I can handle a car, kid, but I'm afraid. Watch. Watch me take this curve.

[Ann De Villo]

You hit him.

[Allie Glazer]

You hit him.

[Ann De Villo]

You hit that man.

[Allie Glazer]

Yeah, I know I hit.

[Ann De Villo]

Well, stop.

[Allie Glazer]

Stop. You kidding?

[Ann De Villo]

We've got to go back and see if we can help him.

[Allie Glazer]

Calm down.

[Ann De Villo]

But that man, he may still be alive.

[Allie Glazer]

Not a chance, kid. He went through the air like a dummy.

[Ann De Villo]

You've got to stop anyway.

[Allie Glazer]

Not Ally Klaser. No, sir.

[Ann De Villo]

But what kind of a man are you? You

[Allie Glazer]

Ally, huh?

[Ann De Villo]

Take me home, please.

[Allie Glazer]

No. Please. Maybe you haven't noticed, baby, but the right headlights out. For all I know there's blood or clothing or something on the front of the car. They can stop me on account of the headlight and then I'm stashing car out of sight.

[Ann De Villo]

All right. Don't take me home. Just let me off here. Not on your life, Alex.

[Allie Glazer]

You're a witness, baby. You stay with me.

[Ann De Villo]

What are you going to do?

[Allie Glazer]

Hide.

[Ann De Villo]

But you can't hide forever.

[Allie Glazer]

I can hide till 10 o' clock tomorrow morning. I can dump this whole problem in Walter Whalen's lap. Walter Wayland? He's a lawyer.

[Ann De Villo]

Allie.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, what?

[Ann De Villo]

Let me out, Allie. I won't tell anybody. I won't say anything, I swear. I'll just go home and shut up. But you can't hold me a prisoner.

[Allie Glazer]

Can I? That's just what I'm gonna do, kid. Hold you prisoner. You get used to that idea and shut up about it. Here we are, cutie pie. Okay, come on in. All right, here's where we stay till 10 tomorrow morning.

[Ann De Villo]

But what are you going to do to me?

[Allie Glazer]

Keep you right here. You like it? The little apartment I have for when I got little ladies that want to powder their nose? You know, you could use a little makeup job yourself right now.

[Ann De Villo]

I don't. There's nothing I want but just to get out of here.

[Allie Glazer]

Look, you're starting to give me a pain. Now knock it off.

[Ann De Villo]

You hit that man and left him lying there on the street.

[Allie Glazer]

Okay, you asked for it. You want any More of that, please. I think. You want any more of that?

[Ann De Villo]

No. Please. No.

[Allie Glazer]

Because I don't mind giving it to you. You behave and I won't hit you.

[Ann De Villo]

I'll behave. Alex. I'll beh.

[Allie Glazer]

I think you better know what you're up against. You know who I am?

[Ann De Villo]

All I know is Alex.

[Allie Glazer]

What about my last name?

[Ann De Villo]

You didn't tell me. Oh, yes. When you were speeding away from the accident, I asked you to stop and you said. You said not Allie Glaser. Glazer.

[Allie Glazer]

Big Jim Glazer's brother.

[Ann De Villo]

Oh.

[Allie Glazer]

My brother owns this town.

[Ann De Villo]

I know.

[Allie Glazer]

You don't know everything. Not yet. Let me spell it out for you. At 10 o' clock, we're gonna see Walter Wayland. He handles all my brother's legal affairs. He handles the fixes, too. And this is gonna be a fix.

[Ann De Villo]

But how can you fix.

[Allie Glazer]

Don't ask me. Walter Whalen will take care of all the details.

[Ann De Villo]

But if he's a lawyer. I mean, it's one thing to maybe fix things like political things, but. But killing a man, hitting a man with a car and running away.

[Allie Glazer]

That's enough. From now on, I hit you not once, but 5, 10, 15 times for every time you say I was driving any car that hit a man tonight. You understand?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes.

[Allie Glazer]

So was I driving any car that hit any man? Never.

[Ann De Villo]

Flattering.

[Allie Glazer]

That's better. Okay. Now, just to straighten you out, Walter Whalen will fix this because he has to fix it. Not just for money, but because that's what he's for, to fix things. You get that? All right. And I'm keeping you here. And later I'll take you to Walter's office because he may need you as a witness.

[Ann De Villo]

Do what?

[Allie Glazer]

Well, the accident happened at 4th street and Folsom Avenue. He might want you to swear I was miles away from 4th and Folsom with you.

[Ann De Villo]

What if I didn't say that?

[Allie Glazer]

What if your father's company never got another subcontract?

[Ann De Villo]

Oh. Oh, you couldn't do that.

[Allie Glazer]

Couldn't I? Every construction contract in this town goes through my brother. Now you see what you're up against?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes.

[Allie Glazer]

On the other hand, my brother might be very grateful to the father of a girl that proved I was 15 miles away from 4th and Folsom.

[Ann De Villo]

I see.

[Allie Glazer]

So what are you gonna do?

[Ann De Villo]

I guess I have no choice. I mean, for myself, it's one thing, but. But for my part.

[Allie Glazer]

Now you're talking.

[Ann De Villo]

And I'll say you were with me and miles away.

[Allie Glazer]

Fine. But don't get just one idea fixed in your head. Maybe that won't be what Walter Whand wants you to say. Look, maybe he'll want you to say that you weren't with me. Maybe. I want you to say you were at 4th street and Folsom Avenue when the accident happened and describe the car and give the license number.

[Ann De Villo]

But how would that help you?

[Allie Glazer]

I didn't say my license number. Maybe Walter will pick somebody who's been giving my brother a hard time.

[Ann De Villo]

Two birds with one stone. Oh, my God.

[Allie Glazer]

What's the matter?

[Ann De Villo]

Don't you know? Do you mean you really don't know what's the matter? You killed a man. Go ahead and hit me. I don't care. You killed a man bad enough to leave him lying there.

[Allie Glazer]

Stop saying that.

[Ann De Villo]

I don't care how much you hit me. I can understand wanting to get out of it yourself, but picking some other man and making me swear someone else did it. You. You're disgusting.

[Allie Glazer]

True?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes. I'm through.

[Allie Glazer]

Fine.

[Ann De Villo]

Because now I'm going and I'm getting out of here. No, you don't. Let me go. No, you don't. Baby, please. Please leave me alone. Don't do that.

[Allie Glazer]

Where were you tonight?

[Ann De Villo]

With you.

[Allie Glazer]

Where?

[Ann De Villo]

I don't know. 50 miles away from 4th and Folsom.

[Allie Glazer]

If that's what Walter wants. That's where you were.

[Ann De Villo]

Yes. Yes. Don't hurt me again.

[Allie Glazer]

And if Walter wants you to say you were at Forth and Folsom and

[Ann De Villo]

saw the accident, I'll do anything you say. Anything Mr. Wayland says.

[Allie Glazer]

Fine. Let's get comfortable till 10 o' clock and we'll go see Walter. Well, Allie Glazer and the young lady. Sit down. This is Ande Villo, Walter. And tell Walter what you're ready to do.

[Ann De Villo]

I'll. I'll do anything you want me to, Mr. Whaler. Knights. But I don't like it and I don't want to.

[Allie Glazer]

I don't know what this is all about, but I certainly don't want you to do anything against your will. Ms. De Villo, she wants to. All right. I imagine Allie, that means you've arranged for her to fix something or other for you by swearing falsely. So what? Well, I'm not going to be a party to it, whatever it is, Allie. And my advice to Ms. De Villo is not to swear falsely to any. Where do you get off with that stuff, Walter? Just remember, my brother Jim will be back in town in a day or two. I guess you haven't heard, Allie. Jim's back already. What? Yes, he is. Now, Ms. De Villo, you'd rather tell the truth than some falsehood, wouldn't you?

[Ann De Villo]

Yes, Mr. Wayland.

[Allie Glazer]

Well, you can start to do so in a moment. And I sincerely hope it will be very damaging to our friend Ally here. Walter, have you gone crazy? If Jim is back, all I gotta do is pick up that phone and talk to him. But you can't do that, Allie. You see, Jim got back at 4 o' clock this morning and he was killed by a hit and run driver at the corner of 4th and Fulton.

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